DON’T MISS: USING AGGRESSION TO WIN A FIGHT

DON’T LET A
CARJACKER GET
THE BEST OF YOU

IN THIS ISSUE: JUNE 2019

HOW TO CLEAN RAIN IS A

THE RUST BIG ENEMY
FROM A GUN IN THE WILD

IS BODY ARMOR HANDGUN DRILLS

A SMART SURVIVAL TO BOOST
CHOICE? YOUR SKILLS

WOULD YOU MAKE LIVING IN A

IT THROUGH A WORLD WITHOUT
HURRICANE? POWER

and more…
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2019

;, A , , ;
; ; ; ; A
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Contents
; . ; C

WHY AGGRESSION IS YOUR BEST ALLY IN A FIGHT

FEATURED When you're in a street fight, getting aggressive can be one of your best allies. Because to
successfully defend yourself, you need to have an aggressive mindset. One that initiates…

DON'T LET A CARJACKER GET THE BEST OF YOU

page 4 I shouldn't have to tell you about the recent rise in violent crimes, all you have to do is flick on
the news and you'll hear horror stories from all over the country. If you're not wanting to…

RAIN IS A BIG ENEMY IN THE WILD

page 5 Rain is a massive downer when you're in the outdoors, especially when it just won't stop. It's
almost relentless, and with time, you're wet. Your gear is wet. And everything you touch…

HANDGUN DRILLS TO BOOST YOUR SKILLS

page 6 There's no point to a handgun if you're not confident and comfortable using it, and it's a smart
idea to level up your self-defensive skills with a few drills…

LIVING IN A WORLD WITHOUT POWER

page 8 No matter what crisis happens, one thing is for certain. When the grid goes down, the power
shuts off. Now for most people, that's a temporary hassle, living without power for a couple…

HOW TO CLEAN THE RUST FROM A GUN

page 9 There's nothing worse than pulling a gun out of storage and seeing one of your prized
possessions covered in rust. Left to its own devices, a small bit of surface rust will slowly…

IS BODY ARMOR A SMART SURVIVAL CHOICE?

page 10 When it comes to being prepared, tactically, there's no better option than body armor. Not only
does it protect your vital organs from shrapnel from say a blast or an explosion, it can help…

WOULD YOU MAKE IT THROUGH A HURRICANE?

page 11 There's something completely primal about the force Mother Nature can wreak on a community,
and with storm season coming in full swing, I thought it timely to run a piece on hurricanes…

EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO FIGHT OFF THE BUGS

page 13 There's nothing quite like the great outdoors, and I love every minute that my family and I spend
in the wild. But that's just it. It's wild, and with the wilderness comes the plague of bugs that…

1
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2019
WHY AGGRESSION IS YOUR BEST ALLY IN A FIGHT
When you're in a street fight, getting
aggressive can be one of your best
allies. Because to successfully defend
yourself, you need to have an aggressive
mindset. One that initiates and
responds to the attacker, instead of
waiting for them to come to you. Some
people like to call this, "getting a little
crazy" and I agree, no one wants to
fight a crazy person.
But there's a right way to do it, and a
right way to channel your aggression.
If you're just seeing red and swinging
with no rhyme or reason, things could
get ugly fast.
DON'T GET INTO A FIGHT TO
START WITH
Now before we get into the article
today, it's important to make this clear.
The very best way to win a fight is to
avoid getting in the fight to start with.
That's your only guaranteed win. Step
away from the fight, to avoid injury, or
worse.
Not only that, you should develop your
own situational awareness. There are
always people out there looking for a
fight. Perhaps they're hanging around a
bar stirring up trouble. Or tucked inside
an alleyway wanting to jump you for
your wallet.
The smart thing to do is be aware of INITIATE AND THROW THE
your situation. Don't walk into dodgy FIRST PUNCH
areas, where you're going to get
confronted by dodgy people. Now this kind of goes against what
most martial arts teach, but in my mind,
And if you are, be willing to swallow the only way to get an initial advantage
your pride and walk away. A few bruises in a fight is to initiate.
to your ego is better than a few
punches, which could land you in Especially if you're facing a bigger,
hospital. But often, you don't get a stronger or more experienced
choice, so here's what to do next. opponent.
BRING OUT YOUR CRAZY You need to start the fight, and throw
FACTOR the first punch.
Imagine you see a tweaker walking I'm completely serious.
down the street, twitching and
obviously high on meth or some other
substance. You probably won't want to
cross paths with them, because you
know they're unpredictable, and you
never really know how it'll go, right?
“You need
You need to channel your inner crazy
factor. Demonstrate you're not actually
scared but you're eager for the fight.
to channel
Your goal is not only to "weird out"
your inner
your opponent, but show them, make
them believe you actually want the crazy
fight. And the crazier you are, the better
your chances your opponent backs
down because they decide it's not worth
factor…”
it. Think Tyson biting off Holyfield's
ear, that's a crazy factor. Embrace it, no
one wants to fight a crazy person.
2
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2019

cont.

When you know the fight will

eventually break out, channel your inner
aggression and throw the first punch.

Hopefully it'll catch your opponent off

guard while he's still in your face.

Land a solid punch to the jaw and you

may even end the fight right then and
there, clean and out with a single swing.

USE EVERY ADVANTAGE YOU

HAVE

Remember, you're in a street fight here

and there's no sense in being chivalrous.

Your opponent isn't going to play nice,

so get mad, get angry, and use every
advantage you have at your disposal,
and anything you can grab to use as a
weapon.

Your elbows are naturally all bone, and

are great for striking your opponent's
head in close range.

Headbutts can shatter their nose.

Bite them.

Scratch.

Tear their hear.

Gouge their eyes.

Aim for weak points like the neck,

temple, or even their knees.
And if you're fighting a guy, don't be
afraid of a strong kick or a knee to the
groin. Use every advantage you have.
REMEMBER YOUR TRAINING
In a professional fight, it's a given that
the most aggressive fighter will win.
They're the one initiating the attack,
taking advantage of any openings, and
ultimately, they prevail.
In a street fight, things aren't always
equal. Usually, it's the person with the
most training and experience who wins
a fight. The one who remembers to
keep their guard up when striking. Who
knows how to plant their feet and
throw a powerful punch.
Being aggressive doesn't mean you
forget all of your self-defense training.
The key is a balance, adding power and
aggression to your fighting technique,
while still being tactical in the fight.
DON'T STOP TILL IT'S OVER
Finally, it's important to make sure your
opponent is down for the count before
you step back.
If you manage to gain the upper hand
in a fight, don't hold back.
That's an advantage you've created, and
your chance to go in swinging and end
the fight.
Do not stop until your opponent is
down, and knocked out.
The last thing you want to happen is
for them to recover, get a second wind
or land a lucky shot, and now you're
suddenly on the ropes.
This is critical, especially if your
opponent outweighs you or has more
fighting experience. Keep punching till
it's done. Until your opponent is
unconscious, on the ground and poses
no further threat.
Just be careful here.
It's possible to get caught up in the
moment, and there's no shortage of
horrible fight videos where someone
has continued to strike when it's quite
obvious their opponent is knocked out.
If you continue to strike them
unnecessarily, you can deliver serious
brain damage, even death. Once they're
knocked out, the fight is over. That's
when you stop.
And once it's done, take a step back but
don't drop your guard.
There may be a friend coming to "help"
the person you've just taken down.
Don't let them get the drop on you.
Only once you're sure it's safe, and the
fight is over, should you use the
opportunity you've created to escape.

3
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2019
DON'T LET A
CARJACKER GET
THE BEST OF YOU
I shouldn't have to tell you about the
recent rise in violent crimes, all you
have to do is flick on the news and
you'll hear horror stories from all over
the country. If you're not wanting to
become a victim yourself, you can't
continue living in ignorance. In fact, it's
crucial you're protected not only at
home, but when you're in your car.
You see, carjacking is becoming more
and more commonplace. And while
I've got no intention of becoming a
victim, I'd like to share with you some
insights to ensure you're protected too.
Because criminals are getting crafty, and
they've got many different ways to get
you out of your car. Here's what they're
doing.
DON'T BE A VICTIM
But before we get into their tricks, I
want to make one element crystal-clear.
Most car jackings are not random. The
attacker has been watching and waiting,
and identified you as an easy mark. But
it's not just your gender, age or even
race, what most criminals are looking
for is how you present. Your body
language tells a story, and there's a few
things you can do to avoid being
flagged as a potential target.
• Make eye contact. It's a power move
that indicates you're paying attention.
• Walk with your chin up. Demonstrates
confidence and presence in a situation.
• Walk with a smooth and natural stride.
Shows a purpose in your movement.
• Walk at a reasonable speed. Too fast
and you risk showing you're scared.
BE AWARE OF YOUR
SURROUNDINGS
Now there's more to avoiding a
carjacking than body language. You also
need to stay aware of your
surroundings, especially in a SHTF
situation. When things get bad, it brings
out the worst in people, and you can
bet they'll do anything to keep their
family's alive. And if you're fleeing a
crisis, there are going to be desperate
people, who want what you have.
Pay attention to your surroundings.
• If someone looks out of place, ask
yourself why. What are they doing
there?
• If an area feels dodgy, question it. Is it
too dark? Could it hide someone's
approach?
• If a traffic stop doesn't feel right, be
smart. Is this really a police checkpoint?
And so on, and so on. The more you
question everything around you, the
better prepared you'll be if someone
tries to pull a fast one on you. Because
you've been expecting it, and you're
ready to instantly react, whether it's to
run, or whip out your pepper spray.
HOW A CARJACKER WILL GET
YOU OUT
We've all seen the movies, the carjacker
approaches the driver's door with a
gun, demanding you get out. But in
reality, they're often far subtler. Here's a
few different ways a criminal will get
you out of your car. In day to day life,
many of these are common situations,
so it's important to pay attention and
make a call on what you want to do in
that particular situation. But when the
SHTF, you can bet I'm not going to be
stopping for anything. It's just too
damn risky.
The staged accident. It could be a flat
tire on an abandoned stretch of road,
or a fake accident that gets you to slow
down. Once you stop and get out,
you're attacked, overpowered, and your
car is taken. Be very wary stopping to
help, especially in particular areas, at
night, when you're not sure how many
people are actually there.
The intentional crash. By
intentionally driving into you, a criminal
gives you a perfectly good reason to
stop, get out of your car, and interact
with them. And that's often all the
chance they need to pull a gun or a
knife, and get you to hand over your
keys. If you suspect something funny is
going on in a crash, report it to the
cops and do not stop your car.
The fake traffic stop. With a handful
of lights and some traffic cones,
criminals will stage a fake traffic stop to
catch you unawares. Again, you need to
be paying attention, and if something
doesn't feel right, call the police.
Perhaps it's the missing cop car, or the
uniform is not quite right. Don't get
out until you're sure it's safe.
4
The drive home. You're followed from
a regular location, like your work, back
to your house where the attacker blocks
your car in and jumps you for your car.
If you ever notice you're being
followed, do not go home or anywhere
isolated. Call a friend, or the police,
drive somewhere public, and for
goodness sake, don't get out of your
car.
LOCKING DOWN YOUR CAR
Staying alert is all well and good, but
there are a few things I would also
recommend doing if you are
particularly concerned about being
carjacked. They sound like common
sense, but one of these tips may just
save your life.
• Once you get into your car and start it
up, lock the doors immediately.
• Keep your windows up, especially if
you've slowed down or stopped in
traffic.
• Leave space in front of your car at
traffic lights to escape if you need to do
a fast exit.
• Don't park where you need to get out
in an unlit area, or remote parking lot.
• Don't stand at your car fumbling with
your keys, get them ready as you
approach.
• If something feels off about a
situation, leave. You can always pick up
your car later.
The key to avoiding a carjacking is to
use your head. Don't give a criminal the
opportunity, whether it's painting
yourself as an ideal target, entering a
situation where you're vulnerable, or
even failing to do a basic step, like
locking the doors on your car. That's
how you'll avoid becoming another
statistic. Stay safe everyone.
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2019
RAIN IS A BIG ENEMY IN THE WILD
Rain is a massive downer when you're
in the outdoors, especially when it just
won't stop. It's almost relentless, and
with time, you're wet. Your gear is wet.
And everything you touch, everywhere
you walk, is made more difficult by the
onslaught of the rain.
Trouble is, not too many people go into
this when they talk about the outdoors,
hiking or even bugging out.
You may see a tarp or a raincoat on a
list of "must have" bug out gear, but
the importance of it isn't made, and
that's a challenge.
PACK FOR THE RAIN
Without the right gear, you won't be
able to stay dry. Yes, it adds extra
weight to your kit that you may not
want to carry, but mother nature is
unpredictable. Just because it's sunny in
the morning, or the forecast doesn't call
for rain, doesn't mean it won't happen.
Ensure you've got a way to keep
yourself dry, which could be as simple
as bringing along a waterproof jacket
and pair of pants, and a dry change of
clothes (don't forget extra socks and
underwear). Gaiters are a fantastic
addition, and of course you should
already have a pair of waterproof
boots. If not, invest in a pair now.
CHANGE OUT WET CLOTHES
Once you get wet but you're still
needing to move around, you need to
stop and change. You need to stay dry.
Don't suffer with a wet pair of socks,
or damp underwear because you're
"almost there," or you're already wet.
Stop, and take the time to change out
your wet clothes. Water plus the friction
that comes from continuing to hike is a
recipe for disaster, and you don't want
to spend the next few days laid up with
chafing, blisters and rashes, right?
WATERPROOF YOUR
BACKPACK
Unless you're using a dry bag for your
gear, it's a good idea to buy a
waterproofing spray and give your
backpack (boots too) a good spray. It's
not 100% perfect, but in my mind even
if it stops 60 or 70 percent of water
soaking into the bag it's a good move.
I'd also recommend getting a
waterproof cover for your backpack, to
create an outer shield against the rain
for even more protection.
USE PLASTIC ZIPLOC BAGS
This is the simplest and most cost-
effective waterproofing option.
5
Pack your gear in heavy-duty Ziploc
bags. Once sealed, the plastic adds
another layer of protection against any
water, ideal if you're in a wet location,
or perhaps as just a failsafe in case you
drop your kit or take a fall when you're
crossing a river or a stream.
I started doing this years ago. It makes
it easy to coordinate my stuff (I've got
color-coded Ziplocs I bought especially
for this), and even if I do happen to get
water in my bag, there's a good chance
my kit will stay dry.
COVER YOUR CAMP
Being rained on sucks, especially when
it hasn't let up for hours and hours on
end. But you'll be surprised at just how
much more fun it becomes when you
can create some overhead cover. To
change your clothes, eat a meal in piece,
or start rummaging through your
backpack without flooding it with
water. It's also a great place to hang any
wet gear while you sleep, and perhaps
get it a little dry before the morning.
Always pack a light tarp and some
paracord to create a light shelter. Being
able to strip off your raincoat before
getting into your tent will do wonders
in keeping it dry inside.
DON'T SIT DOWN
As nice as it is to put your feet up and
sit down, in the rain that's the last thing
you want to do. Because everything is
so damn wet. The water will soak into
your butt and knees, which isn't just
uncomfortable, it's also going to start
leeching away the warmth in your body.
What you want to do instead is a squat.
Essentially, you're sitting 95% of the
way down, but you're not letting your
butt touch the ground. It's not as
comfortable hovering like this that's for
sure, but you won't get wet. With a little
practice, you'll find this position almost
becomes a habit, when you're bending
down to tend to the fire, or taking a
break for a quick bite, you squat, and
don't risk getting yourself all dirty and
wet.
Staying dry when you're in the outdoors
is easy when it's not raining.
But once the skies open up, it's critical
you've prepared the right gear and
waterproofing equipment, and are
being a little smart with your pack to
ensure you're not soaked through.
Because that's a recipe for disaster.
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2019

HANDGUN DRILLS TO BOOST YOUR SKILLS

There's no point to a handgun if you're
not confident and comfortable using it,
and it's a smart idea to level up your
self-defensive skills with a few drills.
Because these last few years, tactics and
techniques traditionally reserved for the
military and police forces are now
available to civilians. And that's the
whole point of this article today. To
share with you what's common sense to
me, and give you a couple of drills you
can use to level up your shooting skills.
BUT DON'T FORGET SAFETY
Keep your finger off the trigger until
you're ready to shoot.
Look not only at your target, but what's
behind it, before you shoot.
Now before we get started I want to
remind you the importance of being
ready to fire. Whenever you practice,
keep your gun up. With your gun up,
you shave seconds off your time to
engage, which could be the seconds
that save your life in a real fire fight.
FALLING BACK SAFELY
4. As you move back shout out "GET
BACK OR I'M GOING TO SHOOT"
5. Engage your target and double tap
twice in their center mass.
6. When you've landed two successful
shots, move back again and repeat.
7. Rinse and repeat this drill until you're
comfortable with your retreat.
8. Continue working on it until you're
consistently landing all of your shots.

I mention this first because it's
imperative. Before you start doing any
sort of drills with your handgun, you
need to know your way around your
gun. You need to know the four rules
of responsible gun handling, and always
practice dry-firing the drills first.
When you're in a gun fight your
ultimate goal is survival. Do not go
towards the bad guy in a gun fight, even
if you've got a full clip, you're firing as
you do so. retreating as you go.
That's how you win. You live to fight
“Never point

Not only will it save you hundreds (if

not thousands) of dollars on
ammunition, it'll help you g et
comfortable with all of these before it
gets unsafe. And that's important too.
Four rules of responsible gun
handling:
Always handle a gun as if it's loaded.
Never point your gun at anything you
don't want to destroy.
another day. Because survival is what's
important, survival for your family, for
your gun at
your friends, for all the people who rely
on you. Here's how it works. anything
1. Start with your pistol holstered or
concealed.
you don’t
2. With your arms at your side, shake want to
them and get loose.
destroy”
3. At the count of three, draw your
weapon and bring it up to bear.

6
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2019

cont.

The key here is to get comfortable with

your accuracy as you're safely falling
back, but to also give fair warning to
your intended target.

Just in case you end up in the wrong

side of a courtroom, you need to have
your back covered as well.

RAPID POSITION CHANGE

When you're being shot at the last thing

you want to do is stay still.

This allows your attacker to get a

bearing on you, and with a little time,
he'll figure out his aim and you're going
to be getting hit.

It's a smart idea to keep your attacker

on their toes, and keep moving. Of
course, practicing this live can be
difficult, and the goal here isn't to
shoot.

Your ultimate goal is to move, which

makes this a great drill to run dry.

Here's how.

1. Start with your pistol holstered or

concealed.

2. With your arms at your side, shake t

hem and get loose.

3. At the count of three, draw your

weapon and bring it up to bear.
4. But at the last second, change
direction.
5. You can move forward to cover, or
back.
6. You can move to the left or right.
7. The goal is to get out of your
attackers line of sight as fast as
possible.
8. Consider adding obstacles and cover
to the training area.
9. Time yourself as you move, and
repeat until you're comfortable moving
fast.
The key here is speed.
If you're being shot at you want to
move as fast as possible, confounding
the aim of your attacker so you stand
the greatest chances of getting away
without a bullet wound.
I actually really like practicing this one
down at the airsoft range, where you
end up with bruises as a harsh reminder
you've been too slow.
JAM AND RECOVER
It's a fact of life your handgun will jam
at some point, and the trick here is to
not let it get to you, so you can
continue firing defensively at your
target.
This is a simple drill, and works great if
you're at the range with a partner.
1. Get your partner to load your mags,
with a dummy round or snap cap
included.
2. Run through your normal firing
drills, until you get to the dummy
round.
3. When it hits, you'll be surprised,
much like if it happened in a real fire
fight.
4. Clear the jam, and continue shooting.
5. Rinse and repeat this drill until you're
comfortable rapidly dealing with a jam.
6. Continue working on it until you're
almost robot-like in your precision
reload.
The key here is knowing what to do
when things go wrong, so you're not
surprised or caught off-guard in a really
dangerous situation.
The better you can react, and the faster,
the greater your chances of survival.
These three drills seem simple at the
surface, but master these and you'll be
well on your way to becoming a
defensive shooter, and stand a much
better chance to make it out of a shoot-
out in one piece.
And that's all that counts.

7
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2019
LIVING IN A WORLD
WITHOUT POWER
No matter what crisis happens, one
thing is for certain. When the grid goes
down, the power shuts off. Now for
most people, that's a temporary hassle,
living without power for a couple of
hours isn't really a cause for concern.
But with time, it all starts to snowball.
We are so reliant on power, without it,
things are going to get bad, real fast.
THE LIGHTS WILL SLOWLY
SWITCH OFF
It's only a matter of time until all of the
batteries run out and the generators run
dry. That means no indoor lighting, no
heat during winter, and no ability to rely
on anything that plugs into a socket.
Solution: In addition an off-the-grid
power source, you need to incorporate
products and practices into your
lifestyle that don't require electricity.
Like a furnace for heating, gas or even a
wood stove, and manual appliances that
don't need to be plugged in.
PHONE SERVICE AND THE
INTERNET GOES DOWN
Without power, it's only a matter of
time until the charge you have in your
laptop or phone finally dies.
That means a loss of connection,
updates, and the knowledge we have
come to rely on online.
Of course, even if you’ve got a
solution for your home, like solar cells
or perhaps a generator, there's no
guarantees that the phone and internet
companies can get their services up
while the power is down.
Solution: Incorporate alternative
communication channels into your
survival plans, and ensure you've got
ready access to the information you
need, offline, just in case.
WATER DOESN'T COME OUT
OF THE TAP
Without power the water company isn't
going to be able to keep the pipes
pressurized, and this means you'll not
have any water when you turn the taps.
No water for showers or cleaning. No
water for cooking, and if you're
anywhere urban, this is going to be
your biggest and most serious problem.
Solution: Start stocking up on water
now, and consider installing a rain
catchment system, tapping a well on
your property, or whatever it is you can
do to replenish your water supply.
STORES ARE STRIPPED BARE
Walk a supermarket now and it seems
ridiculous they could run out of food,
but they will. Often these are the first
to go during a crisis, without power to
keep the refrigeration running, anything
that's not canned or on the shelf will
perish quickly. Plus, no power means no
lights, and you can bet looters will hit
these stores as soon as night falls.
Solution: Start stockpiling your own
supply of food, so you're not reliant on
a supermarket, the government, or
anyone else for your next meal.
GAS STATIONS HAVE NO GAS
Probably the biggest spanner-in-the-
works will be the supply of gas. People
will start to hoard it for their generators
at the first sign of trouble, and with the
power down the pumps will fail, if
they’re not emptied already. Without
gas, you won't be able to travel any, or
even keen your lights on.
Solution: Start stockpiling gas to keep
your generator and vehicles running,
but also consider alternatives like
bicycles, and electric vehicles you can
recharge with your solar set up.
8
THE MILITARY WILL STEAL
YOUR GUNS
Of course, this will be done as a
"means to protect the people" as armed
civilians is one of the biggest threats to
those in power. Once martial law is
declared the military can do what they
like, and that includes breaking into
your home and stealing weapons
intended as your last line of defense.
Solution: Create multiple caches of
guns so you've always got a means to
arm yourself, and get comfortable with
alternative weapons, like a crossbow.
C A S H Q U I C K LY B E C O M E S
WORTHLESS
All that money in your bank account is
useless when the power is out, because
you won't be able to withdraw it, even
if you go directly to the bank. That's
right, in a severe blackout you won't
even be able to take out the money
from your account that's actually yours.
Solution: Get a safe and have an
emergency stash of cash just in case,
and it doesn't hurt to stock up on good
barter items, like heavy spirits,
cigarettes, and ammunition.
THINGS WILL GET NASTY FAST
Without power, the utilities we've all
come to rely on will grind to a halt, and
it'll only take a few weeks for things to
get particularly nasty. Sewage lines will
back up, trash will fester on the streets
with no one to collect it. And that
becomes a breeding ground for rats and
other pests, as well as nasty bacteria
that will make you incredibly sick.
Solution: Create a plan with your
neighbors for the sanitary disposal of
waste, remembering that it's disposed at
least 250 feet from any homes, or any
source of water.
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2019
HOW TO CLEAN THE RUST FROM A GUN
There's nothing worse than pulling a
gun out of storage and seeing one of
your prized possessions covered in rust.
Left to its own devices, a small bit of
surface rust will slowly grow, spread,
and do a massive amount of damage to
your firearms. A scary threat, especially
if you're planning to rely on your guns
and ammunition when the SHTF.
WHY ARE MY GUNS RUSTING?
When there's moisture in the air, or in a
damp location like a buried survival
cache, the water on the metal of your
guns causes a chemical reaction.
Converting the iron in the metal to iron
oxide, or what we know as rust.
You'll notice this as a reddish-brown
discoloration, often accompanied by a
fine powder. Surface rust can be easily
wiped away, and is usually a result from
moisture in the air. While deeper
deposits typically occur when your guns
have gotten wet and have been stored
incorrectly. There's a couple of factors
that play a big role here.
If you're in an area that's particularly
humid, or near to the sea with a higher
percentage of salt in the air, you need
to factor this into your gun storage.
Dried salts from the sweat in your
hands last time on the shooting range
can start your guns rusting, especially if
you don't clean your guns afterwards.
You'll notice this happening as the rust
will appear in a fingerprint-like design
from where you've been holding it. The
good news is that these kinds of
surface rust are easily reparable.
A NATURAL BARRIER AGAINST
RUST
Of course, a guns first barrier of
defense against rust is the finish a
manufacturer has applied to the metal
of the gun. Modern guns use a variety
of finishes, from the nitrocarburizing
that's common on handguns to the
non-metallic options like Cerakote.
Stainless steel guns will rust too.
BASICS OF RUST PREVENTION
The simplest strategy to prevent rust is
to make it a habit of wiping your guns
down. I use a clean but oiled rag, and
store them in a cool, dry place. You
may even want to throw in some silica
moisture control packs to help drop
any water in the air, and of course, if
you've been using your gun and it
happens to get wet, dry it completely
before you put it away. If by chance,
you've managed to drop your gun in
water, you will need to go a little
extreme. Stripping the parts down and
using high-pressured air to clean and
dry it completely. If it was salt water it
went in, clean it very thoroughly. It will
rust if you don’t.
9
Oh, and never store your guns in their
holsters. They can trap moisture from
the air, and the chemicals in the leather
and materials will discolor your gun
over time. Don't do it.
WHEN IT ALL GOES WRONG
But sometimes, no matter what you've
done and how hard you tried to keep it
at bay, you're rewarded with a rusty gun.
First, you need to check the severity.
Surface rust can be wiped off, but if
there's deeper pits and grooves my
advice is to "bite the bullet" and take it
to a professional gunsmith for an
evaluation, repair and finish.
If it's not quite that bad, the follow
along these steps.
1. Soak a rage in rust remover, wipe
your gun so it's wet and let it sit.
2. The instructions on the bottle should
specify, but usually it's 5 minutes.
3. Rub with the rag, and the rust should
wipe off as you're doing it.
4. If not, try a copper brush, just be
gentle and preserve the finish.
5. If still not, switch to 0000 steel wool
and try again.
6. Anything more aggressive is going to
damage your finish.
7. Once you're done, carefully inspect
the pitting for any tine rust deposits.
8. If you miss any, the rust will return
quite aggressively, so be sure.
9. Once you're done, wipe your gun
down with a clean rag and cleaner.
10. Wipe it dry, then finish with your
preferred gun lube of choice.
And that's all there is to it.
Just remember, if the damage is quite
severe, your best bet is to have it
professionally evaluated by a quality
gun smith, they may even recommend
refinishing the gun to protect against
further damage in future.
Because the real reason to even have a
gun in the first place is self-defense, and
a rusty firearm is very likely to fail,
misfire or simply not work when you
need it most. Take care of your
weapons, cleaning and lubing them
regularly, and they'll last many lifetimes.
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2019
IS BODY ARMOR A
SMART SURVIVAL
CHOICE?
When it comes to being prepared,
there's no better option than body
armor. Not only does it protect your
vital organs from shrapnel, it can help
you survive a knife attack or even a
bullet. There's a reason military
personnel, private contractors, and even
bodyguards wear body armor. It could
save their life.
In a crisis, you want every edge you can
get. But body armor isn't always
practical. In fact, a full plate set is
probably far too heavy to ever be of
any use, unless of course your house
has come under a full-scale attack and
you're fighting for your very life. Then
by all means, suit up. But reality isn't
always going to give you the time to
prepare, and wearing this level of body
armor at all times, just in case, isn't a
smart option. So, what are your
options?
THEY TYPES OF BODY ARMOR
AVAILABLE
I'm not going dive into the details of
the different levels of body armor, but
it's important to know the key
differences in the types when you're
considering this level of protection.
You've probably heard of a "bullet
proof vest," right? They're soft, the
most common, and come in a variety
of thicknesses which correspond to the
types of bullet they can stop.
“body
armor will
make you
harder to
take
down…”
Thicker vests will stop more powerful
rounds. The most heavy-duty vests will
have slots for ceramic or titanium plates
and are known as plated vests. These
will even stop high-velocity rounds,
depending on the particular vest.
Separate to this, are the stab-proof
vests, constructed from different
materials to stop knife and blade
attacks. Inside the Kevlar is usually a
series of laminated plates, that offer a
different kind of protection, from a
cutting or stabbing attack.
Some vests even offer a combination
of these twpo types of protection for
the greatest versatility. Depending on
the threat you're most likely to face, it's
important to choose your body armor
accordingly, so you're adequately
protected but not going overkill.
WHAT GETS PROTECTED?
Body armor is designed to protect your
most vulnerable areas, your torso and
all the organs inside, as well as your
sides and back. Your arms and legs are
much better able to survive a stab or
bullet wound than one that goes right
through your stomach.
Again, it's impossible to protect your
entire body unless you're riding the
fight out in a tank, but I'll take any edge
I can get. And body armor will make
you harder to take down, and harder to
kill. Good qualities when the SHTF.
DON'T FORGET YOUR OPSEC
Now this debate comes up a lot when
you start talking about day to day life
after a SHTF event. Because you've
now got a target on your back every
time you leave the house.
Even more so if it looks like you've
adequately prepared. Because it stands
to reason, if you're decked out in the
best survival gear, anyone who is
struggling or "going without" is going
to be looking at you with greedy eyes.
Wondering what else you may have
stored or tucked away back at home, if
you had the foresight to buy body
armor.
You've effectively painted a target on
your back. For anyone who is running
low on ammunition, food, stores, or
whatever other supplies they're
imagining you having tucked away at
home, when they're out scoping
potential targets you can bet the dude
in full body armor will be their first
target.
10
The key, is to find a balance. Getting
equipment that's going to help you stay
alive, but without showcasing just how
well you've prepared beforehand.
My advice, is, and always will be, that
you need to do your best to look like
everyone else. And the best body armor
(unless you're about to engage in an all-
out war of course, because then
OPSEC goes out the window), is soft
vests that are thin enough to be
relatively unseen, when worn under
your clothes. Of course, nothing is
completely invisible to the trained eye,
but you don't want to make it obvious,
that's for sure.
MY CHOICE FOR BODY ARMOR
What I've found works for me, is a
much thinner choice for body armor.
I get some (but not complete)
protection, using my Level II vest. It's
strong enough to withstand a 9mm
round, but thin enough that I can wear
it under my clothes without it being
immediately obvious. It's not flattering
that's for sure, but under a big jacket or
even a hoodie, you'll never know it's
there. Protected, but it's not obvious.
Because a full plated set of body armor
just isn't practical. It's heavy, you'll
never use it as part of your everyday
carry or even your bug out, and heaven
forbid you wear it for more than 20 or
30 minutes or so. It's awkward, and
everyone who sees you in it is going to
wonder what the heck you're doing.
Ultimately, deciding whether to invest
in body armor is a personal choice. It
may not stop every attack, especially if
you're like me and get a lower level vest,
but it is an added layer of protection
that you wouldn't get with just a jacket
and shirt. And when the SHTF that
little bit extra could mean all the
difference between staying alive, or not.
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2019

WOULD YOU MAKE IT THROUGH A HURRICANE?

There's something completely primal
about the force Mother Nature can
wreak on a community, and with storm
season coming in full swing, I thought
it timely to run a piece on hurricanes.
Namely, what you can do now to better
prepare, and how to safely make it
through every aspect of the storm. If
you get it wrong, the consequences will
be catastrophic, not only for your
home, but you risk your very life.
That way, you've got everything you
need at home (and ideally a minimal
stockpile at another, second location, as
your bug out), and don't have to
venture out in search of basic supplies
in the immediate aftermath.
Second on the list are your
fortifications.
Hurricanes are rated on a scale that
essentially categories how powerful it is.
you are recommended to evacuate, it's
best to do this as fast as possible.
Having your go-bags packed and ready
will speed up the operation, as well as
having a full tank of gas in your car so
you don't need to stop. Pay close
attention to the emergency broadcasts
on the news and radio, they may alert

WHAT TO START PREPARING From Level 1, which might break a few

By now I'm sure you already have a

good stockpile of supplies in order, if
not, it's a good time to start putting this
together. I'd recommend having at a
bare minimum 72 hours' worth of
food, water, and other key survival
necessities (like a generator to keep
your power on, and enough fuel to
keep it running). A month's worth of
survival supplies is better, and you
should ultimately be working towards a
stockpile that'll last a year.
branches off a tree, to Level 5 storms
that will level your home and wipe out “working
roads. Of course, there's not much you
can do against a Level 5 storm, but towards a
simple addition to your home will
greatly reduce the damage you see at all
other levels.
stockpile
HOW TO SAFELY EVACUATE that’ll last a
Being aware of the situation as it
unfolds is key during a hurricane,
year...”
because if the situation worsens and

11
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2019

GET THE FOLLOWING PREPARED IN YOUR HOME:

• Installing storm shutters (or having thick ply pre-cut and ready to screw on)
• Installing roof clips to stop yours being torn off when the hurricane hits
• Bringing in any outdoor furniture so it doesn't get tossed around in the storm
• Trimming back any large trees or branches (especially if they're above your home)
• Ensure all of your storm drains and gutters are flowing freely to send the water away
• Ensure any important items are stored in waterproof containers above flood lines
• Having a go-bag packed and ready to evacuate at a moment's notice

cont.

you to potential hazards or certain areas
to avoid, but the key is to simply get on
the road as fast as possible, and put as
much distance between your family and
the storm as you can.
Important here is to have adequate
maps and a route in mind (along with
alternatives if a particular thoroughfare
is blocked), and you've got safe
locations prepared in advance where
you can ride out the storm. This may be
in a bug out location several counties
over, a friend or relatives home in
another city, even just a booking at a
hotel, make sure you know where
you're going so you aren't aimlessly
driving around.
HUNKERING DOWN TO
SURVIVE
If an evacuation wasn't an option, you
can still survive. Perhaps you didn't
make it out in time, or the storm
escalated quickly and you're now stuck
at home. You still have options, and it's
time to start preparing. Get these done
quickly, as best as you're able.
Create a safe room, preferably an
interior room with no windows, on the
lowest level of your home. It should
also be where your survival stockpile of
gear is kept. Fortify it as best you can,
and bring in everything you need to
spend the next 72 hours in the room.
Turn off your gas lines at the source,
otherwise you risk creating a massive
fire hazard should one of the pipes get
damaged or fail. If you can, switching
your electricity and water off at the
mains is also a smart idea, but this may
not be practical. Use your judgement
here.
Barricade the interior of all windows
with furniture, move closets into
position as a support, wedge mattresses
up against the window frames, anything
you can do to better support these
weak points in your home.
Some people even recommend hanging
and nailing tarps and/or blankets to
prevent against the glass blow out, but
that's up to you.
If the storm hits particularly hard, you
may want to take refuge under a table
in your safe room, to provide an added
level of overhead cover should your
house go down. The last thing you
want is an injury from a falling beam or
debris in addition to the crisis.
Then it's just a matter of staying
indoors and continue monitoring the
situation, giving the storm plenty of
time to pass. Often, a lull in the winds
is the eye of the storm, and the worst is
yet to come. So make sure you're paying
close attention, and don't venture out
until it's safe.
WHAT HAPPENS IN THE
AFTERMATH?
The sense of calm that settles after a
storm will allow you to breathe a big
sigh of relief, but there's still plenty of
danger.
Wait until you get the "all clear" from
your local authorities before venturing
too far from your home.
You never know what potential hazards
are there.
• Power lines down with live cables
• Gas lines broken and leaking
flammable fumes
• Water mains burst and creating
localized flooding
And then comes the clean-up.
By all means help out, but don't put
your own safety at risk to speed this up.
If you are venturing out, wear
protective clothing, stay away from
murky flood waters, and if a situation
like a collapsed home looks a little
dodgy, don't risk it.
Keeping a cool head will ensure you,
and your family, make it through a
hurricane unscathed.

12
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2019
EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO FIGHT OFF THE BUGS
There's nothing quite like the great
outdoors, and I love every minute that
my family and I spend in the wild.
But that's just it.
It's wild, and with the wilderness comes
the plague of bugs that seek to wreak
havoc on your vacation and make your
life miserable.
I'm all for keeping the bugs at bay, but
when you start researching natural
remedies, they become a little
impractical.
Spraying your entire campsite with
vinegar is one that gets thrown around
a lot, because the bugs hate the smell.
Well so do most people. And the acetic
acid in white vinegar can also damage
and stain your tent. Not cool.
So, here's what you should do instead.
START A FIRE (OR SEVERAL)
The first thing you should always do
once you make camp is start a fire.
Fire is life in the wild, and you will need
it to purify collected water, stay warm
as the temperature drops, and even
provide light and a means to cook your
food.
But fire is a great bug repellant.
Moths and other nasties are attracted to and strategically placed around camp
the light, so you're ridding your camp will create a little respite. This is a far
of these, and the smoke actually easier solution than maintaining three
provides a barrier that mosquitoes don't or four separate fires, and is what I
like. If I haven't prepared any bug normally do, they're easy to pack in my
repellants at all, I'll keep a handful of kit, rather light, and work great.
green leaves nearby and toss these onto
the fire throughout the night. If you're looking for a natural solution,
sage works a treat.
The smokier it is, the better it serves to
keep the bugs away. Of course, if you're taking it from the
wild don't devastate an entire plant to
If you're somewhere particularly bad, give yourself a couple of hours bug-
I'd actually recommend creating two or free, a few leaves from few separate and
three additional fires. healthy plants will work great. Just add
the leaves to your fire.
Think of these like backup little smoke
generators, that help to create a ring
effect so you're effectively building a
larger cloud of smoke.
SMOKE OUT THE BUGS “The first
But more than just smoke, there are
few particular smells that the bugs just
thing you
cannot stand. should
Citronella oil is one, and if you're
headed to a particularly bad campsite, always
having a couple of citronella lanterns
burning will not only provide a little
light, but will keep the bugs at bay.
do… is
Personally, I like mosquito coils, they're start a fire”
easy to set burning on a can or a bottle
(or the stand that comes with the pack),
13
VIP SURVIVAL ACADEMY - JUNE 2019
cont.
On our last trip I actually raided my
wife's garden for a couple of bunches
of lavender, it produced a similar effect
and also quite a pleasant smell that
lingered on our clothes.
COVER YOURSELF WITH DEET
There's a reason DEET is the most
popular choice for an insect repellant, is
that it works so damn well. Of course,
the higher percentage of DEET in a
product the better, and you can buy
these in both spray and cream form,
depending on your personal preference.
I like a spray as I can also give my tent,
backpack and jacket a once over, which
pretty much eliminates any pesky
mosquitoes coming near me until it
wears off.
DEET is the single most effective way
to fight off the bugs, especially if
you're still hiking or making your way to
camp.
Because you don't want to be covered
on bug bites in just the first hour or so
of your adventure into the wild.
Spray yourself, and be protected.
WEAR COVERALL CLOTHING
Of course, the less skin you have
exposed, the better. It's a simple fact,
and one many people fail to implement
effectively when they're in the wild.
Just because it's a little warm is no
excuse to wear short shorts or a singlet.
The bugs will feast on you.
Wear pants that cover down to your
feet effectively, and even consider
gaiters to stop leeches and mosquitoes
from getting into your ankles and your
shoes. Loose, long-sleeved shirts will
protect your waist and arms, and while
eager mosquitoes may bite through it,
it's a good layer to spray with insect
repellant so you're not putting this
straight on your skin.
Oh, and don't forget a good floppy hat,
and for best results take a deep breath
(so you're not breathing it in) and give
everything a good spray with your
insect repellant.
You'll need to reapply this every couple
of hours, but coverall clothing doused
in insect repellant is probably your best
bet to keep the bugs away until you set
up camp for the night.
14
CLOSE OFF YOUR TENT
It's also important that your tent has
the ability to fully close, especially if
you're in an area where there's high
concentrations of bugs and other
nasties. Check that there are no breaks
or tears in the seams, and always keep it
closed during the day.
If it's hot, you can always open the
sides to let the air flow in, but keep the
insect screens shut.
I also like to spray the entrance of my
tent with a little insect repellant too, so
they don't gather on the fly screen and
find their way in if you're coming and
going during the night. There's nothing
worse than trying to sleep with a
mosquito buzzing in your ear.
Keeping the bugs at bay when you're
camping requires a little preparation, a
little forward thinking, and that you're a
little proactive in taking the right steps
to shield your camp and yourself from
all the little nasties that want to feast on
you when you're in the wild.
Do it right, and you'll start enjoying
your time in the outdoors again.